Intuitive machines, Firefly and a third company – Astrobotic Technology – launched their lunar missions under contract with a NASA program aimed at promoting a commercial market for transport to the moon. Astrobotic’s first lander failed shortly after his departure from the earth. The first two missions launched by ISPACE were almost entirely private, with a limited participation of the Japanese space agency, Luxembourg and NASA.
The earth is looming above the horizon of the moon in this image of the lunar orbit captured on May 27, 2025, by the Ispace resilience.
Credit: Ispace
The commercial journey on the moon only started in 2019, so there are not many balance sheets to judge the perspectives of the industry. When NASA began to sign contracts for trade lunar missions, the agency’s scientific vision, Thomas Zurbuchen, estimated that initial landing attempts would have 50-50 chances of success. Overall, NASA’s experience with intuitive machines, Firefly and Astrobotic is not too far from Zurbuchen’s estimate, with complete success and some partial successes.
The commercial history is getting worse if you include private missions from the Ispace and Beresheet Landder of Israel.
But Ispace and Hakamada did not give up the dream. The third mission of the company will be launched under the aegis of the same NASA program which contracted with intuitive machines, Firefly and Astrobotic. Hakamada cited the achievements of Firefly and Intuitive Machines as proof that the business model for lunar missions is valid.
“Those who have the moor, there are two companies that I mentioned. In addition, the blue origin to come. In addition, Ispace is a possibility,” said Hakamada. “So very few businesses. We would like to catch up as soon as possible.”
It is too early to know how Thursday’s failure could have an impact on the next Ispace mission with Draper and NASA.
“I must admit that we are late,” Judei Nozaki, director and financial director at Ispace, told Judei. “But we don’t really think we are still late from the leading group. It is too early to decide.
“Honestly, there were times when I almost cried, but I have to direct this business, and I need to have a strong desire to go ahead, so it’s not time for me to cry,” said Hakamada.
